HCMx Radio 63: The Benefits of Gender Diversity

In our recent episode, Tacy M. Byham discusses recent research that DDI has conducted, which underpins the differences between female and male leaders. The research shows no significant difference between intellect or ability. However, lack of confidence, opportunities, and an unconscious bias limit women from advancing in the careers. Tacy further points out the importance of training specifically offered to develop women leaders. These development opportunities need to provide diverse leadership styles and perspectives that address specific behaviors and root causes that help build confidence, alter social and culture biases, and other challenges that hold women back. “It is not a societal or social issue – it’s a business issue,” she said. Organizations need to recognize that if they are not recruiting and retaining talented women, it will have a negative impact on the business. The workplace performs better with diverse leadership and diverse teams.

To listen to our interview, you can download the podcast anytime at the HCMx Radio site.

Tacy M. Byham, Ph.D., is passionate about empowering leaders to declare their true worth and ignite their impact in the workplace, from the start of their careers all the way to the C-suite. She is CEO of Development Dimensions International (DDI), a global award-winning leadership consultancy that helps the world’s most successful companies transform the way they select, develop, and accelerate leaders.

Tacy is an energetic and thought-provoking presenter on topics such as innovation, mid-level leadership, mentoring, and the benefits of gender diversity. Her writing has been featured in Fast Company, Inc., The Conference Board Review, TD, and the ASTD Leadership Handbook. Her book, Your First Leadership Job, co-authored with Rich Wellins, was released in 2015 to excellent reviews. Tacy is enthusiastic about mentoring and other issues facing working women. She is a member of The Conference Board’s Leadership Council on Advancing Women in the Workplace.

We are grateful for Tacy Byham’s support and sponsorship of Brandon Hall Group’s, A Way Forward: Women In Leadership Summit , to be held June 15-16 at the Delray Beach (FL) Marriott. The event offers female corporate leaders a community experience designed to enhance skills and share ideas. The goal is to share best practices for creating inclusive environments with which to improve personal and organizational performance.

Brandon Hall Group’s research has validated the need to offer targeted development opportunities for women to grow and achieve their potential personally and professionally, and to address the unique internal and external obstacles they face. The WIL Summit is designed for women in leadership roles — including mid-level to senior managers, directors, VPs, and C-level — in corporations, non-profits, and government agencies. The WIL Summit is also a great opportunity for men who lead diverse teams and seek greater understanding of how to better recruit, engage, develop, and retain talented women.

Chief Operating Officer
Rachel Cooke
Rachel is responsible for business operations including overseeing client services, research events and project management.
Prior to joining Brandon Hall Group, Rachel was the Chief Operating Officer Co-founder of AC Growth.
Rachel has over 15 years of experience in sales, marketing, business development, and sales performance management. Prior to AC Growth, she held several senior management roles and was on the leadership team at Bersin & Associates, a pioneer analyst firm in e-learning and now industry leading HR and talent Research Company. In her Senior Director role, Rachel developed the strategy and led the commercial execution of the solution provider vertical, and grew the vertical into the company’s largest market segment. In her role as Director of Sales, Rachel developed and led a team of senior account executives focused on acquiring global strategic accounts. Rachel was solely responsible for developing key business relationships with over ninety companies including industry icons, such as: Adidas, Hewlett-Packard, Toyota, Oracle, Starbucks, Avnet, Boeing, Kaiser Permanente, Safeway Inc., Wells Fargo, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Clorox and Affiliated Computer Services. Rachel began her career in the banking, media and hospitality industries. In these industries, Rachel held several key senior management and executive sales positions.
Rachel received a BA in social science and interdisciplinary studies with honors from Florida Atlantic University. Rachel continued her postgraduate education by completing a series of executive management education courses from American Management Association.

Brandon Hall Group is a preeminent research and analyst firm, with more than 10,000 clients globally and more than 20 years of delivering Research-Based Solutions that Empower Excellence in Organizations.